Press for plastic material



Jan. 3, 1933. J. L. HUNTER 1,893,234

PRESS FOR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 28. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 3,1933..

J. HUNTER PRESS FORPLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 26. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet2 2e 1;??? 6 4g 0 72 ll 7'. 31 y Jan. 3, 1-933. .1. L. HUNTER.

PRESS FOR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 26, 1950 liven 5 iii) PatentedJan. 3, 1933 Eran STATES.

JOHN L. HUNTER, or wAUKneAn, rumors, assrenon T Ashram! BA TERY communescoerceuct on wauirneaiv, rumors, a coaronarronor ILLINOIS PRESSFORPLASTIC MATERIAL Application filed April 26,

My invention relatesmore particularly to presses for use m themanufacture of containers formed from moldable material such 1 as forexample and more especially asphaltic compositions, the invention havingbeen demum; and other objects as will'be manifest x 1n the cylinder inany Sll'l'titblfi way, as .for

from the following description. 7

Referring tothe accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view'in sectionalelevation of a machine embodying my invention. Figure 2 is a plansectionalview taken at the line 22 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the directionof the arrows.

Figure 3 is a plan sectional view taken at the line 33 on Fig. 1 andviewed inthe direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the side-forming plates of themoldconstituting a partof the machine. n Figure 5 is a broken enlargedview in sectional elevation, the section being taken at the irregularline 55 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows, the partsshown of the machine being represented in the-positions they assumeduring the molding operation. I

- Figure 6 is a view like Fig. 5 showing the position assumed by theside-forming plates of the mold upon the movement of the latter to aposition for releasing the container formed therein, the containerhaving been removed from the mold.

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken at the line 7'? on F i 1 and viewedin the direction of the arrows.

Figure-8 is a view in vertical sectional ele- 1930. Serial NGL 447,590.

vation of the core structure forming a part or the machlne; and r Figure9, a section taken at the. line 9 on Fig. 8 and viewed inthe directionofthe arrow.

Referring toithe particular, illustrated, embodiment of my invention,the machine comprises a base 10 presenting an upwardly opening cyl nder11, upwardly extending rods 12 disposed in rectangular arrangement andrising from the case 10, and a head 13 surmounting,and rigidly connectedwith, the

rods 12 to extend-in vertically spaced relation to the baselO. V

The machine alsocomprises a vertically movable ram formed of a piston 1%vertical ly movable in thelcylinder 11 and a head 15 rigidly secured tothe top of the piston 14, this ram being adapted to be forced upwardlyexample by fluid pressure introduced into the bottom of the cylinder 11through a pipe 16 communicating with any suitable source of ar underpressure and having interposed therein a valve device 17 by which airpressure may be supplied .to the bottomof the cylinder 11 or permittedto vent therefrom to the atmosphere, as desired;

The head 15 is provided at its topwith a port on 18, shown as a partseparate from the body portion of the head 15 and forming the bottom ofthe mold in which the container is tozbe formed, the member 18 which isof rectangular shape, being provided about its four sides w th laterallyextending'fianges 19.

The sides of the mold areformed of four plates 20 disposed in arectangular arrangement as shown, the adjacent edges of these platesbeing stepped tocause them to mutually interfit when in mold-formingposition, all as shownmore particularly in Fig. 3, each plate 20 havingan inturned lip 20 at its upper edge.

The plates 20 are adapted to be swung, as

lOO

into the grooves 2'1 of the respective plates 20.

Surrounding the lower edge portions of the plates 20 is a frame 22provided with four depending pins 23 slidable in vertical openlugs 24 inthe head 15, the lower ends of these pins opposing the upper surface ofa ring 25 surrounding the piston 14 and forming a part of the stationarybase structure 10.

The frame 22 contains in its under-surface and about the central openingthrough the frame, an endless recess 26 in which a frame like plate 27is secured as by bolts 28. The member 27 surrounds the lower extremitiesof the plates 20, the outer surfaces of which are beveled as representedat 30, the opposing surfaces of the walls of the opening in the member27 being similarly beveled as represented at 31. The arrangement andproportions of the parts just described are such that when the member 22occupies the position shown in Fig. 5 the plates 20 may occupy theposition shown in Fig. 5 without restraint from the plate member 27, butwhen the plate member 27 is raised relative to the head 15 ashereinafter described and as shown in Fig. 6, the plates 20 will beforced to assume the outwardly swung position represented therein, theplates 20 in such movement swinging about the flanges 19 as fulcrums.

Means are associated with the lower portions of the plates 20 tending toswing them to the closed position shown in F 5. these" means comprisingT-bolts. 32 which extend at their shanks through slots 33 in the loweredges of the plates 20 and interlock at their T-heads 34 with grooves 35on the inner surfaces of these plates, these shanks extending outwardlythrough openings 36 in the frame 22, their terminal ends carrying nuts37 between'which and shoulders 38 provided in the openings 36 coilsprings 39 surrounding these shanks, extend.

The head 13 is formed to present a vertically extending cylinder 40 inwhich a piston 41 the side-wall-forming plates 20 of the mold rounds theplates 20 as shown in Fig. 1. The

- plates 20 are so formed that when in the closed position shown in Fig.1 their outer surfaces incline toward the vertical axis of themachine'as represented at 48 and the wall of the opening 49 in the die,box is inclined at its four sides at a corresponding angle but in thereverse direction as shown.

In the-machine shown provision is made for admitting fluid pressure toeither end of the cylinder 40 and exhausting the latter as desired, themeans shown for this purpose comprising pipes 50 and 51 which open, respectively, into the bottom and top of the cylinder 40 and into a valvecasing 51 containing an inlet 52 communicating with a pipe 53 leading toany suitable'source of fluid pressure, as for example compressed air.The casing 51 contains a rotatable valve plug 54 containing astraightway port 55 adapted when the valve is moved into one position tocause opposite ends ofthe cylinder 40 to be in communication with eachother. When the valve 54 is rotated counterclockwise in Fig. 1approximately 45 the port 57 moves into registration with the inlet pipe53 and the pipe-51, and the port 56 into registration with the pipe 50and a vent opening 58 in the casing 51 whereby fluid pressure isadmitted to the top of the cylinder 40 and the lower portion of thiscylinder is vented to the atmosphere. Rotation of the valve 54 in aclockwise direction in Fig, 1 approximately 45 from the position thereinshown, causes the port 57 to communicate with thepipes 50 and 53, andthe pipe 51 with the outlet 58 whereupon fluid pressure is admitted tothe lower end of the cylinder and the upper end of'the cylinder isvented to the atmosphere.

The machine also comprises a core supported on the head 13 in axialalinement with the piston 14, andwith which the mold structure abovedescribed cooperates in the forming of the container, the-particularcore construction shown comprising three core sections 59 for forming acontainer presenting three compartments, these core sections beingspaced apart as shown, their combined base portions presenting arectangular structure 60 about which the upper portion 61 of the sidewall of the mold structure closely extends when the machine is operatedto the position shown in Fig. 5. In the use of the machine the piston'14 i positioned as shown in Fig. 1, namely, to extend a slight distanceabove the bottom of the cylinder 11, in which position themoldside-forming plates 20 extend in mold-forming positionas shown, theframe 22 being in lowered position, and the die box 46 surrounding themold formed of the plates 20, as shown,-.theupper edges of the plates 20extending above the upper edge of the die box 46 in this position of themechanism.

In this position of the parts described the material from which thecontainer is to be formed and which, by way of example may be anysuitable asphaltic composition such as that commonly used, is then laidon the up per surface of the bottom-forming. plate 18 toextend withinthe space presented between the plates 20 as shown in Fig. 1.

Nith the material positioned as stated, fluid pressure is introducedinto the bottom of the cylinder 11 which forces the member 15 and theparts carried thereby, together with the die box i6, t is rods 45 andthe piston 41, upwardly, the upper edges of the plates engaging the baseof the core member and the core sections 59 becoming engaged by the mass62 of the material which latter, under the pressure exerted against itby the core sections, is caused to be forced into all portions of themold cavity provided between adjacent core sections and between thelatter and the wall and bottom-forming portions of the mold as shown inFig. 5 to term a homogeneous integral mass in the form of the containerdesired to be produced and represented at 63.

Following the forming of the container as stated, the operator causesthe die box 4:6 to be raised by admitting fluid pressure beneath pistonll which is effected by actuating the valve 5% in a direction to admitfluid pres sure beneath piston 41 which relieves the lateral restraintimposed on the plates 20 by the die box, and thereupon causes the moldstructure, with the formed container therein, to lower by opening thecylinder 11 to exhaust which strips thecontainer from the core-sections.

As the piston lat nears the limit of its movement to lowermost position,the pins 23 abut the upper surface of the member 25 whereupon downwardmovement of the frame 22 is arrested whereby in the continuing loweringof the pistonlet, the beveled surfaces of the plates 20 ride against themember 27 thereby producing a camming action against the lower portionsot the plates 20 which swing them upon the fulcrum-forming flanges 19 inan outward direction as shown in Fig. 6 thereby releasing the formedcontainer and permitting it to-be removed from the machine.

The piston 1st is then slightly raised to. the position shown in Fig. 1in which movement the mold structure rises relative to the frame 22 tothe position shown in th s figure which permits the springs 39 to rockthe mold plates 20 into the mold-forming condition shown in Figs. 1 and5, whereupon the operator manipulates the valve 5 1 to lower the die box46 to the position shown in Fig. 1 for restraining the mold plates 22against lateral displacement, the structure then being ready to receiveanother lump of material for forming another container.

By providing the means for admitting fluid pressure above the piston 41,the descentof the die box 16 may be accelerated in the operation abovedescribed.

The die-box 46, thelower port on: of the head 13 and represented at 6 1and the core structure supported thereon, are shown as provided withpassages therein. The. passages in the die box 46 are represented at.these passages being in communication with each other and with an inletpipe 66 and an outlet pipe 67. The passages in the member and which arein commun'. cation with each other are represented at 68 and areconnected with'an inlet pipe 69 and an outlet pipe 7 0'; and thepassages in the core sections 59 are represented at 71 and communicatewith inlet pipes 72 and outlet pipes 73.

It is desirable, in the manufacture ofcontainers from asphalticcompositions that the temperature of the parts of the machine with a'which the material contacts be that approximating that of the materialwhich is introduced into the machine at approximately 350 F. by way ofexample. Accordingly, it is desirable that a heating medium becirculated through the passages in the die box 46 prior to thestartingof the pressinto opera tion, such a medium as for example steam, beingintroduced into the die box through the pipe 66. Where the conditionsare such that continued operation of the press ra ses the temperature ofthe structure beyond that desired, any suitable cooling medium may becirculated through the passages in the die box. I

The machine described isalso suited for able material in which case anysuitable heating medium, as for example steam, may be clrculated throughthe passagesln the die box 46, member-(Stand the passages 71 in the coresections 59, the latter being shown as recessed at 7% to receiveelectrical heating elements (not shown) for use, if desired, in thevulcanizing of the material.

lVhile I have illustrated and described a particular constructionembodying my invention, I do not wish to be understood as intending tolimit it thereto, as the same may be variously modified and alteredwithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

WVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: p

1. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination ofreceptacle-forming mold and core members, the side walls of said moldmemberbeing movable toward and away from each other and saidmold memberbeing movable relative to said core member, means for holding said sidewalls against outward movement in the molding operation, and meansengageable with a relatively stationary part of the machine in themovement of said mold member in a direction away from said core memberoperating automatically to force said side walls outwardly.

2. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination ofreceptacleformingmold and core members, the side walls of said moldmember being movable toward and the manufacture of containers fromvulcanizaway from each other and said mold member being movable relativeto said core member. means for holding said side walls against outwardmovement in the molding operation, and wedging means engageable with arelatively stationary part ofthe machine in the movement of said moldmember in a direction away from said core member operating automaticallyto force said side walls outwardly. 3. In a machine of the character setforth, the combination of receptacle-forming mold and core members, theside walls of said mold member being fulcrumed to swing outwardly andsaid mold member being movable relative to said core member, means forholding said side walls against outward movement in the moldingoperation, and means engagcable with a relatively stationary part of themachine in the movement of said mold member in a direction away fromsaid core member operating automaticallyto force said side wallsoutwardly.

l. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination ofreceptacle-forming mold and core members, the side walls of said moldmember being movable toward and away from each other and said moldmember being movable relative to said core member, means for holdingsaid sidewalls against outward movement in the molding operation, andmeans surrounding the lower ends of said side walls and engageable witha relatively stationary part of the machine in the movement of said moldmember in a direction away from said core member operating automaticallyto force said side walls outwardly.

5. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination ofreceptacle-forming mold and core m mbers, the side walls of said moldmember being movable toward and away from each other and said moldmember being movable relative to said core member, means for holdingsaid side walls against outward movement in the molding operation, and amember carried by said mold member and relative, to which said moldmember is movable and operative in the movement of said mold memberrelative thereto to force said side walls outwardly.

6. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination ofreceptacle-forming mold and core members, the side walls of said moldmember being movable toward and away from each other and said moldmember being movable relative to said core member, means for holdingsaid side walls against outward movement in the molding operation, meansfor forcing said side walls toward each other, and means engageable witha relatively stationary part of the machine in the movement of said moldmember in a direction away from said core member operating automaticallyto force said side walls outwardly against the resistance of saidsecond-named means.

7. In a machine of the character set vforth, the combination ofreceptacle-forming mold and core members, the side walls of said moldmember being movable toward and away from each other and said moldmember being movable relative to said core member, means for holdingsaid side walls against outward movement in the molding operation, meansfor forcing said side walls toward each other, and wedging meansengageable with a relatively stationary part of the machine in themovement ofsaid mold member in a. direction away from said core memberoperating automatically to force said side walls outwardly against theresistance of said secondnamed means.

8. Ina machine of the character set forth, the combination of receptacleforming mold and core members, the side walls of said mold member beingfulcrumed to swing outwardly and said mold member being movable relativeto said core member, means for holding said site walls against outwardmovement in the molding operation, means for rocking said side wallstoward each other, and means engageable with a relatively stationarypart of the machine in the movement of said mold member in a directionaway from said core member operating automatically to force said sidewalls outwardly against the resistance of said second-named means. a

9. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination ofreceptacle-forming mold and core members, the side walls of said moldmember being movable toward and away from each other and said moldmember being movable relative to said core member, means for holdingsaid side walls against outward movement in the molding operation, meansfor forcing said side walls toward each other, and means surrounding thelower ends of said side walls and-engageable with a relativelystationary part of the machine in the movement of said mold member in adirec tion away from said core member operating automatically to forcesaid side walls outwardly against the resistance of said secondnamedmeans. 7

10. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination ofreceptacle-forming mold and core members, the side walls of said moldmember being movable toward and away from each other and said moldmember being movablerelative to said core member, means for holding saidside walls against outward movement in the molding operation, means forforcing said side walls toward each other, and a member carried by saidmold member and relative to which said mold member is movable andoperative in the movement of said mold member relative thereto to forcesaid side walls outwardly.

11. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination ofreceptacle-forming mold and core members, the side walls of said moldmember being movable toward and away from each other and said moldmember being movable relative to sa1d core me iber, means for holdingsaid side walls against outward movement in the molding operation, meansengageable with a relatively stationary part of the machine in themovement of said mold member in a direction away from said core memberoperating automatically to force said wallsoutwardly, and means engagingsaid second-named means operating to force said side walls toward eachother and against the resistance of which said secondnamed meansoperate.

12. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination ofreceptacle-forming mold and core members, the side walls of saidmoldmember being movable toward and away from each other and said moldmember being movable relative to said core member, means for holdingsaid side walls against outward I movement in the molding operation,means engageable w1th a relat vely stationary part of the machine in themovement of said mold member in one direction operating automatically toforce said walls outwardly, and means engaging said second-named meansoperating to force said side walls toward each other and against theresistance of which said second-named means operate. a

13. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination ofreceptacle-forming mold and core members, the side walls of said moldmember being movable toward and away from each other and fulcrumed torock and said mold member and core member being relatively movable,means for holding said side walls against outward movement in themolding operation, a member extending outwardly beyond said side wallsand relative to which said mold member is movable and operative in themovement of said mold member relative thereto to force said side wallsoutwardly, and spring-tensioned devices engaging said last-namedmemberand said side walls beyond the fulcrums thereof and tending to move saidside walls to closed position.

14. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination ofreceptacle-forming mold and core members, the side walls of said moldmember being movable toward and away from each other and fulcrumed torock and said mold member and core member being 15. In a machine of thecharacter set forth,

the combination of receptacle-forming mold 1 and core members, the sidewalls of said mold member beingmovable toward and away from each otherand fulcrumed to rock and said mold member and core member beingrelatively movable, means for holding said side 16. In a machine of thecharacter set forth,

the combination of receptacle-forming mold and core members, the sidewalls of said mold member being movable toward and away from each otherand said mold member being movable relative to said core member, meansfor holding said side walls against outward movement in the moldingoperation, means surrounding the lower ends of said side walls andengageable with a relatively stationary part of the machine in themovement of said mold member in a direction away from said core memberoperating automatically to force said side walls outwardly, and meansengaging said second-named means and said side walls for urging thelatter to closed position and against the resistance of which said sidewalls are forced outwardly by said second-named means.

JOHN L. HUNTER.

